Su Rongqi's health was deteriorating day by day. He was already in his eighties, and with all the troubles in Su Yue's family that had made him lose his temper on many occasions, his physical condition had taken a nosedive.
When Su Rou and Su Yuze visited the Su family's old mansion, Su Rongqi was lying on the sofa, covered with a blanket. He seemed to be asleep. "Grandpa," Su Rou walked over and softly called out to him.
"Hmm?" Su Rongqi opened his eyes. Seeing it was Su Rou, he slowly propped himself up and sat up. "Xiaorou, and Yuze. Sit down."
Su Rou helped him sit properly and placed a big pillow behind him so that he could lean back comfortably. "Grandpa, are you feeling better?"
"No," Su Rongqi sighed with some effort. "I don't want to be hospitalized. I don't like the smell in the hospital. Anyway, I don't have much time left. It's more comfortable to stay at home."
Su Yuze asked the servant to make a cup of tea. "Don't say such things."
"Getting old is just like this," Su Rongqi said. Anyway, he had no regrets in his life. He had seen his descendants thrive, but only in Su Yuze's family.
"Grandpa, I'll let Xiaochen come to the old mansion to accompany you every weekend from now on," Su Rou said.
"No need to go to so much trouble," Su Rongqi shook his head. "Xiaochen is growing up. Let him do what he should do. There's no need for him to accompany this old man."
Su Rou handed the tea to Su Rongqi. "Grandpa, showing filial piety to elders is what Xiaochen should do."
"Hehe," Su Rongqi laughed, but after just two chuckles, he started coughing. "It's enough that you have this kind thought."
"What did the doctor say?" Su Yuze asked.
"The hospital just told me to cooperate with the treatment. It's just a money - making place. I don't know what the doctor really said," Su Rongqi said disdainfully. Anyway, he thought the hospital was a rip - off.
Su Yuze frowned slightly. "Grandpa, even if you don't want to, you should cooperate with the treatment. The Su family can afford it. Why do you have to save this little bit of money?"
"Ah..." Su Rongqi held the teacup. "I've done things according to my own will all my life. Now, don't try to change my mind."
... Su Rou and Su Yuze glanced at each other. Grandpa was still as stubborn as ever.
"Okay," Su Yuze said. "Even if we insist on arranging something, I think you won't compromise."
"Haha!" Su Rongqi laughed cheerfully. "Yuze still understands me."
Su Yuze and his wife stayed in the old mansion for an afternoon and didn't go home until after dinner. Su Rou wrapped her arm around Su Yuze's. "Let's come and visit Grandpa when we have time in the future."
Su Yuze nodded. "Okay."
"However, Grandpa is really stubborn. He refuses to go to the hospital. His health is already poor..." Su Rou said helplessly.
"It doesn't matter. Just go along with Grandpa's wishes. You know his temper," Su Yuze said. Life, old age, sickness, and death are inevitable.
On the weekend...
"Xiaochen, shall we go to Great - Grandpa's house?" Su Rou held Su Yichen's little hand and asked softly.
"Why?" Su Yichen was puzzled. "I want to play with Mom."
"I'll go too," Su Rou said. "Great - Grandpa is not in good health and wants to see you every week. Don't you want to go?"
Su Yichen immediately shook his head. "Of course not! I'll do as Mom says."
"Good boy."
When Su Rongqi saw Su Yichen, his mood obviously improved. Su Yichen kept telling Su Rongqi about his training, and the old man and the little boy were both smiling.
...
According to Su Rongqi's condition, the doctor had originally predicted that he wouldn't live for more than a year. But by recuperating at home and chatting with his great - grandson every week, Su Rongqi managed to survive for three years. When Su Yichen was eight years old, Su Rongqi passed away. Before he died, he held Su Yichen's hand, with Su Rou and Su Yuze standing beside him. He died peacefully and contentedly.
"Dad, Mom, will Great - Grandpa never talk to me again?" Su Yichen asked sadly.
"Yes, he will. As long as you keep thinking about Great - Grandpa," Su Rou stroked her son's head and comforted him.
Liu Rulan was still urging her daughter - in - law at home to give birth to a son quickly. She didn't have time to care whether the old man was dead or alive. In Su Yue's family, they were still arguing about whether the child's mother could become the official wife. Naturally, they also didn't have time to care about the old man's fate.
Su Rongqi didn't want to tell them about his death. So when he was buried, only Su Yuze's family was there. "Xiaorou, are you tired?"
"No."
"Grandpa is buried here. No one will disturb him," Su Yuze said. "Let's go out for a meal later."
Su Yichen wiped his slightly red eyes. "Dad, I have to go for training."
"Aren't you on leave today?" Su Rou squatted down and looked at the boy who had grown a lot in the past three years. "There's no need to be in such a hurry. We can take a rest."
"No," Su Yichen shook his head firmly. "I made an agreement with Grandpa that I must study hard and surpass Dad!"
"You've already surpassed Dad. There's no need to push yourself so hard."
"No!"
"Xiaorou, let him go," Su Yuze said. "Since it's his own decision."
Su Rou hesitated. "But..."
Su Yichen turned around and left. "Mom, I'll come back to see you next week."
"Alas..."
"It's okay. Let him go."
Su Rou gave him a sideways look. "You father and son have exactly the same temper!"
"That's why we're father and son."
...
Seven years later...
Fifteen - year - old Su Yichen graduated from the training school. At fifteen, he was already 1.78 meters tall, with a handsome face. All the young girls around were looking at him admiringly.
When he got back to the villa, Su Rou was holding a fruit cake. "Xiaochen, congratulations on your graduation."
At home, Su Yichen shed his cold exterior and gave Su Rou a big hug. "Thank you, Mom."
"Now you can take over the company," Su Yuze walked over from the living room and said.
"Dad, why are you in such a hurry?" Su Yichen rolled his eyes. "Wait, what's that?" He pointed to a suitcase in the corner.
"You've graduated. We're going on our honeymoon," Su Yuze put his arm around Su Rou and looked into Su Yichen's eyes.
"Honeymoon?" Su Yichen raised his eyebrows. "You're both getting old. What kind of honeymoon are you going on?"
"Any objections?" Su Yuze handed the key to Su Yichen. "Goodbye. We won't be back for a year or so."
Su Yichen stared at the key in his hand. "You two..."
Su Rou waved at him and then walked out of the house with Su Yuze.
Su Yichen sighed. His parents were really happy. They had been together for decades and still weren't tired of each other! He was really envious. A charming figure flashed through his mind. Su Yichen smiled slightly. Before taking over the company, he would also go and find his own happiness.
—(The End)—